Armadillidiidae (Pill Bugs)

crustaceans · armor defense · garden creatures

Curled up protection. When threatened, pill bugs roll their bodies into a tight ball that's hard for predators to crack open. This amazing ability is why people call them roly pollies or pill bugs.

Mediterranean origin. Most pill bugs originally came from the Mediterranean region around Europe, but one species called Armadillidium vulgare spread to North America in the 1800s and is now found almost everywhere.

Crustacean cousins. Even though pill bugs live on land and look like bugs, they're actually crustaceans related to crabs and shrimp. They breathe through gills and need moist environments to survive.

Garden decomposers. Pill bugs eat dead plants and rotting wood, which helps break down organic matter in gardens and forests. They're helpful little cleanup crews in soil ecosystems.

Many nicknames. People call these creatures by lots of different names including slaters, potato bugs, curly bugs, and doodle bugs depending on where they live.